Click on the photograph to enlarge the image.
Back row (standing L-R)
Mr Fairbrother; John Davis; Ivan Periham; Christopher Miles; Roy Bullock; Bert Ravenhill.
Front row (sitting L-R)
Graham Hall; Don Morgan; Gerald Whitehorn; Larry Jackson; Tony Dyer; Ted Williams.
Can you help us add more memories and information about this photograph? Perhaps you are in the photograph and remember being part of this apprentice intake? Or maybe you remember working with someone pictured here? What was it like to be in this intake – the banter, stories, incidents, and camaraderie? Please share your memories by clicking on add a comment about this page below.
Click on the hyperlink to watch a digital story made by Brian Mince and Roxy Ridgeway about John Davis’ memories.
Comments about this page
My Dad (Don Morgan) was an apprentice at Fielding & Platt and began his apprenticeship in February 1949 with two of his schoolmates, Graham Hall and Gerald Whitehorn. After he completed his apprenticeship, he went on to do his National Service at RAF St Mawgan, in Cornwall, as a Leading Aircraftsman. Whilst in Cornwall, he met my Mum. He then went on to become a Tool Maker at the Hoover Plant in Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, and he remained there until his retirement in 1993. He often spoke about the good times and the fantastic apprenticeship he received whilst at Fielding & Platt.
Ed: Many thanks for your contribution Ann and your warm words about the apprenticeship that was recognised as the finest in the area. John B
Berts’ favourite saying and always remembered. “Keep calm, cool, and collect”
Thank you for adding this information Christopher – we now have everyone named in this photo. However, we know very little about what it was like to be in this apprentice intake and perhaps you could help by sharing some of your memories and experiences of being in it below. It would be most appreciated.
I wonder if you can remember your first day in the Apprentice Training School and some of the sights, sounds, and smells of the Works in the late 1940s? It would be great to know what the other lads pictured in the photograph were like too? And indeed Bert Ravenhill and Mr Fairbrother – I wonder if you can recall any of Bert’s famous sayings or some of the things he taught you?
Look forward to hearing from you again.
I am on this photograph and standing on the back row, 3rd apprentice from left of Mr Fairbrother.
On the front row, 2nd from right was Tony Dyer or perhaps it was Dwyer.
Thanks Chippy, I wonder if you can remember anything in particular you worked on together with Graham Hall? I’m so pleased to hear you two still catch up from time to time – if he hasn’t heard of it already – do let Graham know about the project and this website!
I worked with Graham ‘Taffy’ Hall in my later years at F&P, a very good fitter. I have the greatest respect for Graham, and we occasionally bump into each other when I come back to Gloucester from time to time. I think we used to think on the same wavelength (maybe we still do)! Chippy Aston
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